Maltese Residency allows its holder the right to reside and work freely in Malta. By being a member of the Schengen Area, holders of Maltese residency are also able to travel freely within the Schengen Area.
The acquisition of a Maltese residency and a Maltese residence card brings with it numerous benefits, including:
- The right to reside and work freely in Malta without any restrictions
- The ability to travel within the Schengen Zone for 3 months in every 6 months
- Malta is a favourable tax jurisdiction
- Children can receive high quality private education
- Malta is one of the safest countries globally
- Malta boasts of a high standard of living, and a safe and stable political system
- English is one of Malta’s official languages
- Malta is a member of the European Union (EU) and the Commonwealth.
There are a number of residency programmes in Malta and as a firm we recommend the most suitable one depending on the applicants’ nationality, family composition, aims and objectives.
EU nationals can opt for one of the two residence programmes available:
Malta EU Residence Permit – Ordinary Residence
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are entitled to apply for residence under the Ordinary Residence Programme. An Ordinary Residence Permit can be issued to individuals based on various grounds such as employment, study purposes or economic self-sufficiency. In all scenarios, applicants must be covered by a health insurance policy and rent or purchase a property in Malta. Approved applicants are issued with a Maltese residence card within approximately 8-10 weeks.
Individuals who obtain residency in Malta but are not considered to be domiciled, are taxed on source and remittance basis of taxation.
Malta The Residence Programme (TRP)
The Residence Programme (TRP) is a tax residence programme aimed at EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals. Applications under the TRP are to be submitted to the International Tax Unit by Authorised Registered Mandatories. Our firm is an authorised registered mandatory and holds licence number ARM 04407.
Applicants under the TRP are required to pay a one-time non-refundable application fee of €6,000. On approval, applicants are required to purchase or rent a property in Malta and pay a minimum annual tax of €15,000.
Under this programme, beneficiaries are not allowed to reside in any one other jurisdiction for more than 183 days.
When the application is approved, applicants benefit from a special tax status and pay a flat rate of 15% tax on income remitted to Malta.
Non-EU nationals can apply under the following residence programmes:
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) launched in 2021 grants permanent residence to non-EU nationals and their family members who invest in Malta. This lifetime status grants numerous benefits such as the right to reside in Malta indefinitely and the right to travel within the Schengen Area without the need of a visa. Beneficiaries may include up to four generations in the same application.
This residency by investment programme is based on investments in property and government & charity contributions. In order to be eligible to apply under the MPRP, applicants must show they have capital assets of not less than €500,000, out of which a minimum of €150,000 must be in financial assets.
The MPRP has two investment options for applicants: either rent or purchase property.
An applicant is required to:
- Choose a property investment (buy or rent a property)
- Pay a government contribution of €68,000 when purchasing or €98,000 when renting a property
- Pay a €2,000 donation to an approved charity or NGO.
Residency cards issued under the MPRP are valid for 5 years and are renewable indefinitely provided the investor maintains a Maltese address and satisfies the criteria of the programme.
Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP)
The Global Residence Programme (GRP) is a tax residence programme aimed at non-EU/EEA nationals. Applications under the GRP are to be submitted to the International Tax Unit by Authorised Registered Mandatories. Our firm is an authorised registered mandatory and holds licence number ARM 04407.
Applicants under the GRP are required to pay a one-time non-refundable application fee of €6,000. On approval, applicants are required to purchase or rent a property in Malta and pay a minimum annual tax of €15,000.
Under this programme, beneficiaries are not allowed to reside in any one other jurisdiction for more than 183 days.
When the application is approved, applicants benefit from a special tax status and pay a flat rate of 15% tax on income remitted to Malta.
Malta Nomad Residence Programme (NRP)
The Malta Nomad Residence Programme (NRP) is a residence programme aimed at non-EU digital nomads. This permit grants applicants the right to reside in Malta whilst retaining their current employment outside of Malta. Applicants must provide evidence that they can work in Malta remotely and receive a gross monthly income of €2,700.
Prospective applicants must prove that they fall under any one of the following 3 categories:
- Be employed with a company registered outside of Malta and have an employment contract valid for at least 6 months.
- Carry out business activities for a company registered outside of Malta and of which the applicant is a partner or a shareholder.
- Offer freelance or consulting services to clients who are based outside of Malta.
Residence permits issued under the Malta Nomad Residence Programme are issued for one year and may be renewed twice, for a total duration of three years.
Malta Start-Up Residence Programme
The Malta Start-Up Residence Programme launched in October 2022, is a residence programme open to non-EU nationals who are founders, co-founders, core employees of start-ups. To be eligible, an individual must have an intention to develop or expand a business in Malta.
The incorporated Start-up in Malta is required to place a tangible investment and/or paid-up share capital of not less than €25,000. Founders and co-founders applying under this programme are required to live and pay taxes in Malta.
Residence permits issued under this programme are valid for a period of three years and renewable for a further five-year period.
Malta Key Employee Initiative (KEI)
The Key Employee Initiative (KEI) is a residence route aimed at providing a fast-track service to highly specialised non-EU nationals who seek employment in Malta. Applications submitted under the KEI are usually processed within a period of 5 working days from the submission of an application and can be submitted whilst the prospective employee is physically in Malta or still abroad.
The KEI is applicably only to managerial or highly technical posts who satisfy the below conditions:
- The employee must receive an annual gross salary of at least €30,000
- The employee must submit copies of the relevant qualifications, work experience or warrants
- The employer must submit a declaration confirming that the applicant has the necessary credentials to perform the duties being assigned.
Once the application is approved, the employee will be issued with a residence card valid for a period of one year. This permit may be renewed for a maximum period of three years.
Malta Single Permit (Work Permit)
Non-EU nationals who seek employment in Malta are to apply for a single permit. A single permit is an authorisation to reside in Malta based on having an employment. The aim of the Single Permit Application, is the issue of a single residence permit, commonly referred to as the e-residence card, which grants the right to both live and work in Malta.
If approved, a residence card issued under this route is valid for one year. The residence card is tied to the employer who is employing the foreign national, hence it becomes invalid if the applicant no longer remains in employment with that particular employer. Single permit applications may be submitted by applicants whilst legally residing in Malta or else by applicants who are still abroad.
Single permit applications can only be submitted once the employee has found a job in Malta. Such applications are to be submitted by the employer or their representatives.
Malta Residency Application Procedure
Our firm has over the years assisted numerous individuals and families to take up residence in Malta, making the best of the islands’ climate, safety, favourable tax system and importantly Malta’s membership in the European Union and the Schengen Area.
Interested individuals and families who plan to obtain Maltese residency through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme and the Malta Global Residence Programme are to be represented by a Licenced Agent and Authorised Registered Mandatory who prepares and submits the application. Our firm holds licence number AKM-ACCA-23 and is registered as an Authorised Registered Mandatory with licence number ARM 04407.
